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As digital agencies and local marketers know all too well, online reputation is a critical driving force in the success of a business. Advice Local’s review monitoring tool was developed to empower agencies with fast, convenient tracking of customer sentiment. But for those agencies not yet monitoring reviews, or struggling to communicate their importance to clients, it’s absolutely worth examining why it matters so much.
Why Monitoring Local Business Reviews Is Crucial
Reviews have taken on greater importance as more consumers turn to Google and other platforms before investing in products and services. Here are just some of the reasons why review monitoring can drive local business success.
Consumers Check Local Reviews
When was the last time you made a purchase without first researching online? From checking the star rating on an Amazon product to browsing Facebook for customer reviews, we are constantly looking for signs of positive customer experiences. Monitoring reviews helps agencies track what consumers see when they research a business.
Trust and Credibility Drive Sales
According to BrightLocal’s Local Consumer Review Survey 2023, 87% of consumers used Google to evaluate local businesses last year. Most people feel some amount of resistance before making a purchase, and want to see signs of trust and credibility before taking the final step. By monitoring reviews, agencies can identify the friction points that could prevent sales.
Responding to Reviews Improves a Business’ Reputation
The same survey also highlighted that 88% of consumers are likely to use a business when they can see it responds to reviews. Responding to reviews clearly identifies an engaged company, one that’s focused on customer satisfaction. When you understand how to automate review monitoring, it’s possible to streamline responses and improve your client’s reputation.
Reviews Influence Search Rankings
Earlier this year we discussed the local search ranking factors that matter in 2023. The data suggests that of the 149 possible local pack ranking factors, reviews ranked as third-most important, with a weighted attribution of 17%. In short, if you want a business to rank in Google’s local pack, they will need a consistent stream of positive customer reviews.
Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace
While the need to monitor and respond to reviews is now more widely acknowledged, most businesses are still not doing it. Taking these steps for your business clients is an easy way to stand out in many local industries. Consumers have options, and displaying greater accessibility and engagement is one way to drive home your commitment to customer satisfaction.
Learn From Customer Reviews
Monitoring reviews offers valuable feedback that can help refine business decisions. For example, our Review Monitoring Tool provides a recency score, allowing clients to identify trends in customer sentiment (along with links to each specific review). By monitoring individual reviews and the big picture opinion, businesses can improve the customer experience.
Reviews Boost Local Citations
To increase local search visibility, businesses need a presence across a network of directories, social platforms and review sites. Our listing management services distribute business data to a range of popular platforms, while review monitoring can identify customer sentiment on specific sites. This process means that agencies can build and promote citations across a network of platforms that all contribute to increased visibility.
Expert Review Monitoring Tool for Agencies
Advice Local makes it easy to track customer sentiment with our review monitoring tool for agencies. Try our dashboard solution for access to the leading local presence management solutions. For more information, call (214) 310-1356 or request a demo today.